great-warnovel Chapter 228 The Hot Potato Sutra, Left for Future Generations Who Need It
Chapter 228 The Hot Potato Sutra, Left for Future Generations Who Need It
"Lu Qian of Wudang greets the True Man of Nanhua!"
Upon entering the inner scene, Lü Qian bowed respectfully to the illusory light and shadow, saying, "Thank you for your help, Patriarch Nanhua."
Opposite him, the illusory old man, radiating a halo similar to that of a silver butterfly, glanced at Lü Qian.
In his hand, the light butterfly that flew out from the patterns on Lü Qian's Taoist robe fluttered and danced, its wings and antennae trembling gently, as if it were alive.
The old man's figure was ethereal; although Lü Qian could clearly see him, upon closer inspection, it seemed as if he was not actually there.
For those unfamiliar with Taoist lineages, the title "Nanhua Zhenren" might be somewhat unfamiliar.
But if we were to change his name, such as Zhuang Zhou, Zhuang Zixiu, or the honorific title "Zhuangzi", he could be given a different name.
It's estimated that few people wouldn't recognize him, since ordinary people's textbooks still contain passages about this Taoist ancestor.
The famous "Free and Easy Wandering" – I wonder how many people have memorized it, and how many have actually written it down from memory.
The phrase "the size of the Kun" could be used to create countless variations of phrases and expressions.
Zhuangzi was a leading figure in Taoism during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and a successor and developer of Laozi, the founder of Taoism.
In later history, Taoism evolved into Huang-Lao philosophy, and then into the Taoism we all know today.
In the tradition of Taoism, Zhuangzi, this Taoist ancestor, is also revered as "Nanhua Zhenren" (True Man of Nanhua).
"A grand dream, a fleeting fate."
The old man held the light butterfly in his left hand and stroked his naturally drooping beard with his right, his movements relaxed and content.
"A fleeting dream, now that it's come to this, has it yielded any results?"
He clasped his left palm together, flicked his finger, and transformed the light butterfly into a beam of silver light that shot towards Lü Qian's feet. A futon took shape in the light.
Lu Qian straightened his hair and robes, and sat down on the futon without any restraint, carrying a wooden sword on his back.
His style differed from Zhuangzi's detached and natural approach to life; it possessed a more unrestrained and carefree quality. He replied with a smile, "I think, therefore I am."
After speaking, Lü Qian recalled his past in the dream of wealth and power with an air of nonchalance, examining his own changes as if he were an outsider.
As soon as he finished speaking, the desolate and distant interior space suddenly changed, like a movie playing, showing Lü Qian's past experiences one by one.
From the moment he stepped out of Tongtian Valley, we observe the scenery and sights he encounters along the way from the perspective of an outsider.
Visiting old friends, five years after leaving Shanhaiguan Pass, the Lu family's birthday banquet, Zhang Lü's travels...
At this moment, the once quiet interior seemed to be filled with a few more gazes, though Lü Qian was unaware of them.
Opposite him, the illusory figure of Zhuangzi also watched Lü Qian's mental journey with curiosity, like an old neighbor, calm yet with a hint of mischief.
When the scene showed the Lu family's birthday banquet, and Zhang Zhiwei slapped Lu Jin, causing her to lose her composure, the gaze in the void also showed a hint of pleasure.
Zhang Zhiwei and Lu Jin, the two parties involved, probably never imagined that they would one day become famous for their work in interior design.
Lu Qian was unaware of these unseen gazes, nor could he perceive them at this moment, as he was currently engaged in his own enlightenment.
On that endless road of the heart, Lü Qian once again paused his forward steps, looking back at the path he had walked in the past.
In the past, all those versions of himself, each with their own different state of mind, raised their heads and looked at him now.
The past shapes the present, and through it I move toward the future.
Our Taoist school does not cultivate rebirth in the afterlife; we only respect this life, this moment, and all future connections are controlled by ourselves in this life!
Thinking of this, all the past desires and thoughts were sorted out and categorized, like a tangled mess of hemp threads being straightened and woven into a clear line.
This line was like a ray of light, suddenly illuminating Lü Qian's heart, and at the same time illuminating the desolate inner world around him, just like his clear and pure heart.
Amidst this dazzling light, Lü Qian slowly closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again. The crimson-gold radiance in his pupils vanished into nothingness, and the shimmering patterns were completely hidden within his pupils.
The past light and shadows that appeared all around also disappeared into nothingness in this blazing white light.
He stretched out one hand, clenching his fingers together in the void, as if grasping something from the endless light.
Lu Qian smiled slightly. The youthful spirit that once clung to him was no longer impetuous and pretentious. His sharp edge now carried a touch of maturity and experience, making him appear natural and harmonious.
"With sword in hand, I roam the mountains and seas, heading east and returning west, my body stained with blood."
"The voices and appearances of old friends have changed; it is only the years and time that have altered them."
He murmured casually, and his hand, which was holding something, withdrew from the void, and a lotus flower appeared out of thin air.
Lu Qian stroked the five-colored lotus in his palm, then gently tossed it into the void, where it transformed into a ray of endless light.
After doing all this, Lü Qian, like a child, turned back to look at the smiling Zhuangzi across the street.
"Master Nanhua, what do you think of my answer?"
Zhuangzi's illusory figure gradually solidified, and his white-haired and white-bearded appearance slowly transformed from nothingness into reality, becoming an ordinary old man.
He nodded to Lü Qian. "Good."
It's all just a dream, the key is whether you're on the right path, whether you've walked this path that's both real and unreal with your own heart.
Ordinary people who get caught up in the truth or falsehood are actually falling into a lower category.
Those who pursue perfection in fantasy but dare not act in reality are ultimately living in a dream.
We must understand that we walk our own path, and that the true meaning of this dream lies in putting knowledge into practice and forging our own path.
If you walk with your heart, there's no difference between dreams and reality; they're both just journeys that need to be explored.
Lü Qian has already demonstrated what he has seen, heard, and felt as a traveler, and has developed his own path; that is enough.
The Tao is infinitely vast, reflecting the myriad aspects of human life; it is truly profound and mysterious!
Zhuangzi touched his sleeve, pulled out a scroll of bamboo slips from his wide robe, and said to Lü Qian with a smile.
"Now it seems that you, a traveler who understands your own path, have no need for this 'Taiping Jing'."
"I observe the ever-changing world, in constant chaos, but I wonder if you can carry on my 'Taiping Jing' for future generations."
Upon hearing this, Lü Qian carefully examined the bamboo scroll that had been handed to him.
There's no other reason than that this scripture is too famous.
Anyone familiar with Taoist culture should understand that although Taoism advocates non-action, none of the sages who left their mark on history were peaceful individuals.
Laozi, the founder of Taoism, once served as the keeper of the archives for the Zhou royal family. Not only did he survive the turmoil, but he also rode a blue ox and traveled around the world, heading west out of Hangu Pass.
That was no peaceful era, so you can imagine how extraordinary this Daoist ancestor's abilities were.
Moreover, the Zhuangzi in front of us is even more remarkable. It is said that he once passed on the Heavenly Book to Zhang Jiao at the end of the Han Dynasty, which led to his later becoming a great wise teacher and the Heavenly General.
The common people of the nine provinces were shaken, and the royal court of one family was shaken.
Leading a million Yellow Turban rebels, they overturned the imperial palace, seeking only the opportunity to ascend to the Yellow Heaven.
The original heavenly book was also called the "Taiping Jing".
Lü Qian watched as Zhuangzi seemed to be moving intentionally or unintentionally, the rolled-up bamboo slips waving back and forth in front of him.
This manner of his was completely presumptuous; he was simply waiting for Lü Qian to reach out and take the bamboo slip into his pocket.
But he dared not be careless at this moment. Zhuangzi's words just now contained some mystery, and the weight of the words was far greater than the weight of the bamboo scroll in front of him.
To ensure that future generations could carry on the legacy of the Taiping Jing.
Who are the "successors" mentioned in the passage?
Naturally, he is a descendant of Lü Qian, the current ruler, and also a descendant who needs the "Taiping Jing".
When will we need the Taiping Jing?
That would naturally lead to another period of chaos.
All I can say is that this transcendent Master Nanhua before me doesn't realize that there is only one Zhang Jiao in the world, and only one Zhang Jiao!
"This junior thanks Master Nanhua on behalf of future generations."
After much deliberation, Lü Qian made a suitable arrangement for the "Taiping Jing" and accepted the scroll with both hands.
The bamboo slips were rough in texture, and the knots strung together were not neat, making it impossible to discern the appearance of a divine book. It seemed as if this "Taiping Jing" was just a casually written piece.
Lu Qian accepted the somewhat hot scroll of scripture and solemnly said, "If I ascend to heaven in the future, I will place this scroll of the Taiping Scripture under my statue."
"Leave it to the one who is destined to receive it."